Oduah: Jonathan, NSA in closed-door meeting

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The National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), on Wednesday  met behind closed-doors with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Dasuki is a member of the three-man administrative panel set up by Jonathan to probe the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, over the N255m bulletproof cars purchased for her by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

The panel, which is led by a former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Bello, also has Air Vice Marshal Dick Iruenebere (retd.) as members.

Dasuki came out of the President’s office at about 5.40pm and was driven out of the Villa.

It was not clear whether issues bordering on the probe formed part of the agenda of his meeting with the President.

His office is said to be saddled with the responsibility of approving amoured vehicles before they can be imported into the country.

The NSA refused to speak to journalists who approached him for comment on the works of the committee.

Jonathan had set up the committee at the peak of public outcry that trailed the purchase of the bulletproof cars.

In announcing the establishment of the committee, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, had said members were expected to, among other things, ascertain whether the procurement of the vehicles followed due process, ascertain the purpose of procurement and inquire into any other incidental matter. The President also met with some governors in the Jonah Jang-led faction of the Nigeria Governors Forum on Wednesday.

Vice President Namadi Sambo and the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, also attended the meeting.

The governors in attendance were Vice Chairman of Jang’s faction, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo; Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; and Governor Seriake Dickson of  Bayelsa State.

Dickson, who left the Presidential Villa earlier than others did not speak to journalists. Uduaghan and Mimiko, who arrived at the same time, also left together at about 7.25pm. Mimiko told journalists that the meeting was an informal parley with the President on issues bordering each state.

“It’s an informal meeting. From time to time, issues come up that we have to discuss with him (the President). They are issues bordering on governance,” he said.

Akpabio who left last exited the President’s office at about 8.45pm.

He did not talk to journalists.